Chapter 3 – The Truth Everyone Missed
Chapter 3 – The Truth Everyone Missed
The following morning, Doña Leonor asked Mariana to join her for breakfast.
Mariana expected to be dismissed.
Instead...
Leonor handed her an old leather folder.
Inside were dozens of handwritten notes.
Every one of them came from Santiago.
Small reminders collected over two years.
"Mariana stayed late to help Mother after surgery."
"Lucía counted the koi correctly again."
"Remember to increase Mariana's Christmas bonus."
"She's the reason this house feels like home."
Mariana's eyes filled with tears.
"He... noticed?"
Leonor smiled.
"My son notices much more than people think."
"He simply isn't very good at saying it."
Just then, Santiago entered the room.
He knelt beside Lucía, who was drawing another picture with her purple crayon.
"What are you making?"
"Our family."
She pointed.
"That's Mommy."
"That's Grandma Leonor."
"And that's you."
Santiago smiled.
"Who's the little girl?"
Lucía giggled.
"Me, silly."
Then she paused.
"I didn't draw the mean lady."
May you like
Santiago looked quietly at the drawing.
Neither did he.
